Wednesday, September 26, 2012

REPURPOSED DOORS: AN INSPIRATION GALLERY

When one door closes, the next door opens, in so many new and inspiring ways.


Give an old door a new repurposed life. The possibilities for its new use are endless.  Let your imagination go wild with some of these inspirational ideas.

























An old door with lots of character receives a new life as a dining table. 

























Add a little bit of interest and suspend your table.

























Repurposed doors make great coffee tables.

























By adding rollers to the door's base and hanging them on a sliding track, old doors are repurposed into a unique and stylish new feature.



Salvage and old door into a rustic, yet functional, bench.

























Use salvaged doors to fill large wall spaces.

























Create a cozy outdoor seating area using salvaged doors.  The distressed french doors become the focal point, adding a bit of the unexpected, and tying the space together.



A salvaged french door becomes wall decor.  

























A repurposed door becomes a book shelf.  Use it by itself, or create two identical ones, and place on each side of a bed.

























Turn your salvaged door into a classical mirror.

























And for those skilled craftsman, repurpose an old door into a piece of furniture.

(Photos source:  Houzz.com & Pinterest.com)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

BUDGET FRIENDLY DECORATING IDEAS FOR YOUR FIXER UPPER

Are you looking for budget friendly decorating ideas for your fixer upper? 

Follow these tips on how to stretch your dollar by creatively transforming your home's existing furniture and accessories in something fabulous. Add a little paint and some affordable finds; you will be amazed at the difference it makes in your room and your wallet.


Get creative and keep costs down. A tight budget does not mean you need to compromise on style.  The entire budget for this 1,400 sq. foot home was a minimal $3,000. Shopping at second hand stores, tag sales, and clearance racks, was the key to this room's success.  

The dining chairs, a clearance item, are the only new items in the room. Additional accessories and furniture, including the light fixture, were purchased at the local Goodwills, Habitat for Humanity, Craigslist, second hand shops, and tag sales. The photo below provides a glimpse of  the room's dated appearance prior to the transformation.

A quick tip for decorating on a budget. Take time in redoing your room. Don't be in a hurry to get everything done. As a result, you will make bad decisions which affect your budget.


Put your DIY skills to work. This bedroom received a classy, yet inexpensive update. The room's walls were painted a soothing blue. A coverlet purchased for $6.00 from a second hand store was cut down and used as a bed throw,  pillows, and a shower curtain valance.  The curtains and rod, bed ruffles, and head board are tag sale finds. Old, green lamp bases received a coat of black spray paint and some new shades.  

Repurpose and reuse. Reuse items you currently have around the home. Photo 1: An outdated print was removed from it's frame and replaced with hanging star fish.  Photo 2: Take a few inexpensive pots, then add florals for a chic home accessory. Photo 3: Go through your kitchen cabinets and use it's contents as lovely decor.














































Monday, September 17, 2012

THE 60-30-10 RULE: ADDING COLOR TO YOUR SPACE

When decorating your space, divide your colors into percentages,  using the 60-30-10 rule. Take a look at any decorating magazine photo to see how this rule applies.  It's really quite simple.  Here is how it works:

60%  of a dominant color

30% of a secondary color

10% of an accent color


Mark McCauley, ASID, described it perfectly when he said, " The color breakdown is similar to a man's suit":

60%  of the color is the man's jacket and pants

30% of the outfit's color is the color shirt

10% of the outfit's color is the tie


So translated, this means:

60% of color is the walls

30% of color is in the upholstery

10% of the color is in the accents or floral arrangement

























This striking kitchen follows the 60-30-10 rule, using the last 10% of color as a bold accent above the cabinetry.





















Afraid of using color in a small space? Don't let it scare you.  This cozy nook used the 60-30-10 rule and the results are fabulous.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Get Gutsy Paint Idea

Walls are not the only place where you can add pattern and color to a room. Get creative & get gutsy! Paint your floors instead. Your old, worn hardwood planks provide the perfect opportunity to add color and pizazz to any space.  Paint them solid or get artsy and add a playful design. This technique can be applied to stairs as well. This DIY project is labor intensive but worth every minute. You will be in awe with the results.

How to:
1.  Sand your floors, and then clean well
2.  Apply a base of primer. Let dry 24 hours.
3.  Start at the back of the room and work your way to the door.
4.  Paint your floor with oil-based exterior paint.  Let dry 24 hours.
5.  If painting a bathroom floor, consider using marine paint (used on boats)
5.  Lightly sand and clean. Add another one or two coats, sanding between each.

View homes that need your creative touch




White, black, gray are all safe floor color options. But what about red? It's an electrifying jolt of color paired with white walls and offers the opportunity to create a consistent color story, complemented by red accessories in each room.

(how to & photo source: Natalie Myers / Houzz.com)



















This gingham plaid pattern is so inventive for a painted floor. As long as the the paint coats are kept thin, this pattern seems relatively easy to achieve.






Continue your design on the stairs to create a unique space that will become the envy of your neighbors.












(Photo source: Bockman & Forbes Design)

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Who Said Hardwood Flooring is Just for Floors?

Give your home, or home-to-be, the wow factor and make it stand apart from the rest by adding small, creative touches through out the home.  Plain walls are the perfect place to begin.  Most people will default to painting their walls, but let's kick up the creativity a notch and use traditional flooring as a wall treatment.  

Flooring used as a wall treatment adds dimension,sophistication, and drama. You can take this idea and apply it to a ceiling as well. If cost is a  factor, shop for flooring on Craigslist, Habitat for Humanity, or Salvage shops.  



(Photo source:  Fulcrum Structural Engineering)


Monday, September 10, 2012

Does Your Home Tell More About You Than You Think? / Part III

BABY BOOMER HOMES
DOES YOUR HOME TELL MORE ABOUT YOU THAN YOU THINK?

Bradenton, FL newly listed homes

Sarasota, FL newly listed homes

What does the Baby Boomer generation look for in a home?  Baby Boomers are your mid 50's - mid 60's age group who are approaching retirement. They have distinctly different preferences than the Gen X and Gen Y generation.

Baby Boomers no longer need a home to accommodate children, but they still have distinct partialities in what they want in a home. Think about what might be important features for Baby Boomers, then read on to see what a majority of the buyers in this age group prefer.























Boomers House (50’s – mid 60’s)
Prefer single family homes with amenities
Want to enjoy their home
Love to entertain
Facing retirement but still want to be active
Want to be near shopping centers and medical services
Wants a floor plan to adjust to their lifestyle
Prefers off white with chocolate glaze or dark finish cabinets
Able to afford a little more in upgrades
Don't want to pay for space they don't need
Prefer a temperate climate


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Does Your Home Tell More About You Than You Think?/ Part II


Gina Ursini
Keller Williams
941-812-4894
Contact me
http://ginaursini.kwrealty.com/

What does Generation like in a home? 
DOES YOUR HOME TELL MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THAN YOU THINK?

View Gen X Sarasota & Bradenton homes for sale 

From my last post, we know that generation Y's (mid 20's - mid 30's) are very mobile and tech savvy. They grew up with the internet and they can't envision life without computers, iphones, etc., so finding a contemporary home that is maintenance free and customization oriented is important. 

Different generations have diverse preferences, but can one decade make a difference? Let's move onto Generation X. For all you Gen X's, (mid 30's- mid 40's),  think about what you like in a home, then view the information below  to see what a majority of the buyers in your age group prefer.




Generation X House (mid 30's - mid 40's)
Contemporary in style
Big on entertaining
Women play a big part in the decision process
Prefers open spaces and outdoor spaces
Family oriented (50% have families so themes are important)
Wants closets and cubbies for storage
Likes flex spaces


Friday, September 7, 2012

Does Your Home Tell More About Yourself Than You Think? / Part I

Gina Ursini
Keller Williams
941-812-4894
Questions?  Contact me
Gen Y homes
http://ginaursini.kwrealty.com/
http://www.yoursarasotadreamhome.com/


GEN Y HOMES 
DOES YOUR HOME TELL MORE ABOUT YOURSELF THAN YOU THINK?

Different generations have diverse preferences when it comes to choosing a home. For all you Gen Y's, (20's- mid 30's),  think about what you like in a home, then view the information below  to see what a majority of the buyers in your age group are looking for in a home.



Generation Y House (20's - mid 30's)

Contemporary in design and not afraid of color
Want smaller homes, smaller yards, and low maintenance, so have time to travel
Can't remember life without a computer, so researches everything, including buying a home
Tech savvy and more customization oriented
Culturally diverse group of friends
Likes flex spaces


Generation X House (mid 30's - mid 40's)

Boomer House (mid 50's - mid 60's)

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Is Your Home Ready For Some Football?!




Is your home ready for some football?!

With kick-off hours away, fans are getting prepared for  this season's opening game. This means picking out the right menu, wearing their proper gear, and most importantly, creating the ideal setting for cheering on their favorite team. These one of a kind entertainment spaces demonstrate how fans have utilized their space for the ultimate viewing experience. Find the inspiration you need for you and your biggest fans!

Browse Bedroom Products on Houzz- For Example: